LOS ALAMITOS, CA—NOVEMBER 4, 2017—Jim Walker’s Zoomin For Spuds enjoyed his first victory since the 2016 Champion of Champions after holding off Firing Tools by a nose in the $12,300 allowance feature at 350 yards Saturday at Los Alamitos.

Zoomin For Spuds had a sensational campaign in 2016, as he won six stakes races headed by the Grade 1 Champion of Champions over a field that included the superb Heza Dasha Fire. His current season had been a lot quieter. The gelding by Zoomin For Bux lost his first four outings of the year, which included a ninth-place finish in the Grade 1 Vessels Maturity on July 2. Trainer Monty Arrossa decided it was time to give Zoomin For Spuds a break following the Vessels Maturity.

"The horse had been in training for quite some time," Arrossa said. "He was a little dull in his last two outs (before the break). He was telling us and we just hadn’t listened closely. He just needed a little time to get his mind clear. The horse is sound. He really doesn’t have anything bothering him. We decided it would be good for his mind and it (helped). He put some weight on and came back. In his first school here he worked :12.30 (on October 14). It was an okay work. He needed the race tonight."

With Cody Jensen up, the 4-year-old Zoomin For Spuds returned to the track with renewed vigor. He broke nicely from the outside post six and was game throughout to post his ninth victory in 23 career starts. He also covered the 350 yards in a solid :17.654.

For Arrossa, it was special to see his big star back in the winner’s circle at Los Alamitos.

"It’s great," he said. "He’s been off four months. He needed a break. We decided to give him some time off and we brought him back. You never know how they’ll come back. I was happy with him tonight."

Zoomin For Spuds earned his berth to the Champion of Champions last year after winning a division of the Z. Wayne Griffin Directors Trial. Following that win, Zoomin For Spuds ran the race of his career to win the Champion of Champions by a head. And now that Zoomin For Spuds has won again, Arrossa is hopeful that he’ll be ready to shine once more in the Z. Wayne Griffin Directors Trial on November 19.

"We’ll be going to the Z. Wayne Griffin and hopefully we’ll get back to the Champion of Champions," Arrossa said. "It worked last year and we’re hoping the same route works for us this year."

Zoomin For Spuds was named the PCQHRA Horse of the Year and AQHA champion 3-year-old gelding in 2016. He earned $6,600 on Saturday night to take his career earnings to $453,198.